Game Preview: Monsters at Griffins 05/05

May 5, 2021

In the seventh of ten meetings between the two teams this season, the Cleveland Monsters, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, drop the puck vs. the Grand Rapids Griffins, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings, on Wednesday with full coverage, live from Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI, underway at 7:00 pm on FOX Sports 1350 AM “The Gambler”, AHLTV and the Monsters Hockey Network.

 

MONSTERS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 3-2 road overtime win over the Texas Stars on Sunday, the Cleveland Monsters enter tonight’s game at 14-8-1-1 on the season. With a .625 points percentage, the Monsters currently rank second in the Central Division standings and tenth league-wide. Cleveland is currently led in scoring by C Tyler Sikura (11-8-19), C Tyler Angle (10-9-19), and RW Carson Meyer (8-10-18).

 

GRIFFINS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 3-2 home shootout loss to the Rockford IceHogs on Monday, the Grand Rapids Griffins enter tonight’s game at 12-9-3-1 on the season. With a .560 points percentage, the Griffins currently rank third in the Central Division standings and 14th league-wide. Grand Rapids is currently led in scoring by RW Riley Barber (15-10-25), LW Taro Hirose (5-16-21), and C Chase Pearson (7-10-17).

 

REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Wednesday marks the seventh of ten meetings between the Monsters and Griffins this season (1-4-1-0) and the fourth of five games between the two clubs at Van Andel Arena this year (0-2-1-0).

MONSTERS GOALTENDERS:

33 Justin Kapelmaster	OVERALL	1 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 1.90 GAA, .938 S%
	LAST APP.	(30/32) in 3-2 OTW at TEX 5/2/21
	HEAD-TO-HEAD	--
	ON THE ROAD	1 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 1.90 GAA, .938 S%
39 Brad Thiessen	OVERALL	11 GP, (4-5-2), 0 SO, 2.73 GAA, .904 S%
	LAST APP.	(18/22) in 2-5 L at TEX 5/1/21
	HEAD-TO-HEAD	5 GP, (2-2-1), 0 SO, 2.39 GAA, .907 S%
	ON THE ROAD	5 GP, (2-1-2), 0 SO, 2.17 GAA, .918 S%

GRIFFINS GOALTENDERS:

35 Pat Nagle	OVERALL	10 GP, (5-5-0), 0 SO, 2.98 GAA, .885 S%
	LAST APP.	(27/30) in 2-4 L vs CHI 4/29/21
	HEAD-TO-HEAD	5 GP, (4-1-0), 0 SO, 2.21 GAA, .912 S%
	AT HOME	3 GP, (2-1-0), 0 SO, 2.33 GAA, .907 S%
36 Kaden Fulcher	OVERALL	4 GP, (1-1-2), 0 SO, 2.92 GAA, .903 S%
	LAST APP.	(36/38) in 2-3 SOL vs RFD 5/3/21
	HEAD-TO-HEAD	1 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 1.00 GAA, .964 S%
	AT HOME	4 GP, (1-1-2), 0 SO, 2.92 GAA, .903 S%

KEYS TO SUCCESS:

• CHASING CHICAGO: With six games remaining on their schedule, as of Wednesday, the Chicago Wolves would clinch the Sam Pollock Trophy as 2020-21 Central Division champions by claiming seven of their remaining 12 standings points.
• MONSTER MILESTONES: Monsters G Brad Thiessen is one win away from tying Jason Bacashihua for fifth in goaltending victories in franchise history (40) while Cleveland LW Brett Gallant is one appearance away from tying Justin Mercier for fifth in team history in games played (220).
• TERRIFIC THOMAS: Cleveland D Thomas Schemitsch currently ranks tied for 13th among AHL defensemen with 15 points and is scoring at a point per game pace in his last five outings (0-5-5).